Canadian Public Service Commission Test Practice Guide [2025]

if you are preparing for the Public Service Commission tests, it means that you are someone who is dedicated, hardworking, and committed to a career in public service. On this page, you will find information and useful study resources for many of the Public Service Commission Tests that will help you ace your test.

This guide is divided into these parts (click to jump to the appropriate section):

• General Public Service Tests
• Office and Administrative Assistance Tests
• Officer-Level and Management Tests
• Tests Specific to Certain Job Positions
• Tests Specific to Certain Public Service Aptitude Areas

The Canadian PSC functions as the foundation for government employment in Canada, offering job opportunities with the federal public service. In order to apply for a federal public service position, you have to first visit the PSC jobs website. After creating an account you may apply and fill out an application for any job you like. If your application is selected for the job you applied for, you will be contacted. You will be asked to complete different assessments depending on the job type and level.

There are tests for the administrative support level, officer level, management level and other areas, such as post-secondary Recruitment.

Here we offer you a fast review of every test, including links to specific practice tests, to help you familiarize yourself with what is expected.

So find your test, click the link and start preparing for your test.

To become an employee at the officer level you will have to take one of the test assessment lists below. These tests aim to check and measure your cognitive abilities, personality, and situation judgments. These tests are typically required for positions such as program officers, policy analysts, project managers, etc. Candidates who pass this assessment may be eligible to apply for a wide range of mid-level positions within the Canadian government.

• Written Communication Test (WCT-345)  - This test is designed to check the applicant's ability to convey information in a clear and concise manner, with a focus on proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. on this test, you will demonstrate your proficiency in written communication, and when doing well you get an advantage in the job application process.
• Public Service Entrance Exam (PSEE 371, PSEE UIT 370)  - The Public Service Entrance Exam (test your reasoning and judgment skills.
  It includes two subtests that assess reasoning ability and judgment of work situations. Candidates may take both the Public Service Entrance Exam (PSEE) subtests - Test of Judgment (TOJ) and Test of Reasoning (TOR), or they may opt to take only one of them.
• Public Service Entrance Exam Test of Judgement (375) The purpose of this test is to assess an individual's judgment for officer-level positions in the federal government. Hiring managers can use it on their own or as the last step in a two-part assessment following an unsupervised version of the test. The TOJ can be used to assist managers in making selection decisions for appointments or for placement in training programs.
  
  * (the TOJ 375 entrance exam is now replacing The Situational Judgement Test (318), as you can read on the official website).

Let's see an example question from a written communication test:

Here is another sample question you can try answering, it's a simple math problem, and you aren't allowed to use a calculator:

The more questions you practice and learn from, the better your mind will be set for success on the real test.

These tests assess an individual's general knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to working in the Canadian public service. They include tests of verbal and numerical reasoning, as well as tests of general knowledge and situational judgment. Candidates who pass these tests may be eligible to apply for a wide range of positions within the Canadian government, including administrative, technical, and professional roles.

• General Intelligence Test GIT-310 -  the ability to use reasoning to solve problems at the level typically associated with the completion of university. it also used to serve as an alternative to a university education requirement, but as noted on the official website, as of January 2, 2023, the GCT2-314 will replace this test as an alternative to an education requirement.
• Canada Post Assessment Test - The assessment test includes Vocabulary, Figural Relations, Number and Letter Series, Numerical Problems, and Analytical Reasoning. Each of these question types is designed to measure a different aspect of a person's ability to work with information and solve problems. These question types measure different aspects of a person's problem-solving and information-handling capacity.
• General Competency Tests Level 1 (GCT1-207) - the ability to apply reasoning abilities at the level necessary for operations jobs as well as administrative support positions. This assessment assists managers in making judgments about the right placement in training programs, recognizing training and development requirements, and providing job transition counseling.
• General Competency Tests Level 2 (GCT2-314)
  ability to employ reasoning skills at the level necessary for officer-level positions. This test can be used instead of a university education requirement.
• English Language Proficiency Test (Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation Test (GSPAT-120)  - The purpose of the Test is to assess an individual's ability to identify and correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors in existing English text quickly and accurately at the level equivalent to the clear completion of two years of high school. 
• Written Communication Test (WCPT-351) The objective of this test is to assess an individual's capability to write concisely and clearly in English. It can be used to evaluate contributors, managers, or leaders whose position involves producing such informative materials.
• General Intelligence Test GIT 320 - assess an individual's general cognitive ability – the ability to use reasoning to solve problems at the level normally required to complete secondary school. **As of January 2, 2023,** the General Competency Test: Level 1 (GCT1-207) will replace this test as an alternative to a secondary school education requirement.

Candidates applying for administrative assistant, clerical, or other office support positions may be asked to take this test to demonstrate their proficiency in a range of office-related skills, such as typing, data entry, and document formatting.

• Office Skills Tests (Checking-203, Filing 201, Following Directions-206, OST-200) - The administrative support exam is multiple-choice, takes 1.5 hours, and has 75 questions. You need to get 35 questions right to pass. Guess if needed, as your score is based on the number of correct answers. (learn more by clicking the link)

• General Administration Test (GAT-380) - as of January 2, 2023, this test is canceled, and the replacement is the GCT2-314. The results one has from the GAT 380 are not transferable to the new process.

The tests found on the management level measure skills that are required to be a successful manager. The tests also are geared toward those who are looking for a promotion as a supervisor. These tests include topics such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and thinking skills.

These exams assess an individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to leadership roles and management in the Canadian government sector. They include assessments of leadership and management skills, as well as policy and program development and implementation knowledge.

• Middle Management Situational Exercise (MMSE-840) is about the ability to manage. It stimulates some of the main parts of a management position.
• Middle Manager Simulation Exercise (757) - an evaluation assessment to check the skills in program and project management abilities based on the key leadership competency profile. in general, the Key Leadership Competencies define the behaviors expected of Canada's Public Service leaders.
  
  
• Middle Manager In-Basket Exercise (820) | (810) - gives rich and unique info on the manager's general ability to manage at a senior level. It can screen potential job candidates as well as rank them on the basis of their managerial skills. For our detailed information and practice test for the in-basket exercise, check out this page. (link https://www.jobtestprep.com/in-basket-exercise-prep)
• Senior Managerial Simulation Exercise (861) - Candidates are tested through simulation exercises that involve handling managerial challenges and issues related to services, production, resources, performance, labour relations, clients, and policies while being observed by hiring managers. This process can help identify suitable candidates for senior management positions or inter-organizational assignments.
• Simulation for the Identification of Senior Management Potential (862) This simulation exercise is designed to identify individuals with high potential for senior management positions within the Canadian public service. It evaluates an individual's ability to manage complex projects, make strategic decisions, and lead a team in a dynamic and challenging environment.
• Simulation Exercise for Senior Executives Level 3 This exercise is designed for senior executives at Level 3 in the Canadian public service. It evaluates an individual's ability to manage complex projects, make strategic decisions, and lead a team in a high-pressure work environment. in this test, a candidate is going through the 360-degree Instruments & Services, you can read more details about this here. (link https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/staffing-assessment-tools-resources/human-resources-specialists-hiring-managers/human-resources-toolbox/personnel-psychology-centre/assessment-counselling-services/360-feedback-instruments-services.html)
• Supervisor Simulation Exercise (428) Through this exercise, a person's capacity to lead a group of workers in a mock workplace is evaluated. It contains a number of fictitious situations that call for leadership, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities. Our practice test includes scenarios that depict situations that are likely to occur in supervisory roles. Situations will include subordinates, customers, co-workers, and superiors, and the questions will focus on the competencies and skills that are needed in these positions.

 Lets's see some sample questions from our practice test so you can have a better understanding of what to expect on the real test for a management position:

These tests evaluate a person's knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to specific job positions in the Canadian public service. They are typically job-specific and are intended to assess an individual's ability to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

• Human Resources Consultant Simulation Exercise (410) In this simulation exercise, the goal is to test a person's skills as a Human Resources Consultant in a made-up workplace setting. They'll encounter different situations and have to think creatively, find solutions, and lead others. They'll also need to know about human resources policies and procedures to do well.
• Internal Audit Tests - These exams assess a person's knowledge and comprehension of internal audit practices and procedures. They consist of a series of multiple-choice questions and case studies meant to evaluate a person's ability to identify risks, develop audit plans, and report findings.
• Program Advisor Simulation (758): This simulation exercise checks if someone can be a Program Advisor in a pretend workplace. They'll face different made-up scenarios that need them to think carefully, solve problems, and show leadership skills. They should also know about program management principles and practices to do well.
• Post-Secondary Recruitment: The Post-Secondary Recruitment (PSR) program launches careers for university and college graduates by offering a range of jobs within the federal government of Canada. The Post-Secondary Recruitment campaign is now closed, and you can be informed about it here.
• Graduate Recruitment Test: The Graduate Recruitment Test (GRT) was a part of the PSR program. This exam is still used by some hiring departments.
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has a variety of job opportunities dependent upon your academic background or professional interests. You can find career opportunities in policy development, regulation, science & technology, security, or service delivery. Learn more about the CFIA Exams.
• Canadian Revenue Agency: The Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) is a Public Service employer that comprises over 40,000 professionals in fields ranging from auditing, to information technology, to accounting to finance. Find out more about the CRA Exams.

These tests assess an individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to specific public services aptitudes areas, such as finance, human resources, or information technology.

• Team Leader Simulation (445) This simulation checks if you can lead a team in a made-up workplace. You'll face different situations where you'll need to use critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. You'll also need to know about team management principles and practices.
• Situations for the Identification of Leadership (SIL) check if you can show leadership in different situations. You'll face different hypothetical scenarios that need you to use critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. You should also know about leadership principles and practices.
• The Reviewing Past Accomplishments and Experience Test look at your knowledge, skills, and abilities based on your past achievements and experience. We'll ask you questions that make you think about what you've done in the past and how it's relevant to the job you're applying for.
• The Candidate Achievement Record (CAR) looks at your knowledge, skills, and abilities based on your past achievements and experience. We'll ask you to give us specific examples of what you've done that relates to the job you're applying for and tell us about the impact your achievements had. We use the CAR to pick senior leaders for the Canadian public service.

Here are some more Public Service Jos Practice tests there may be of interest to you:

• NAV Canada Assessment Test
• Canada Police Exams
• Post-Secondary Recruitment Exams
• Canada Firegifher Exam
• TSA CBT Test
• ASVAB Assessment